Originally published 1969 | ||
Knocking Our Own Ting is a pamphlet-length satire written by Evan X Hyde discussing the Battle of St. George's Caye, a naval battle off the coast of Belize occurring in 1798. This battle has been celebrated since 1898 on September 10 as St. George's Caye Day. In the 1950s, Belizeans were beginning to question their identity and beliefs as a people, and one of the first things questioned was the "myth" of St. George's Caye. Did white master and black slave fight as equals? Or were blacks subordinates?
Contents
Arguments
Hyde, already exposed to Black Power theory, argues that the Battle of St. George's Caye tends to divide Belizeans more than unify them. The combatants in the battle- white slavemasters and black slaves- are ancestors and forefathers of the various shades of Belizean Creole people and their Spanish (Mexican) opponents are forefathers of the Mestizos. The glorifying of the slaves' efforts only further alienates Mestizo people from the development of Belize.
For Hyde, the 10th really celebrates the successful division of the Belizean people. He also questions how, after disciplining the runaway slaves from the slave revolt of 1773 harshly, the British decided to use them in fighting the hated Spanish, who had already succeeded in removing the Baymen from the settlement previously. Hyde also questions the relevancy of a holiday for Creole in a multi-racial, multi-ethnic society. He concludes that the Battle is better off celebrated for the achievements of the blacks, rather than any national pride attached to it, as long as Belize remained a colony of Great Britain (Belize became independent in 1981).
Publishing
Benex Press issued the first edition of Knocking in 1969. It then went out of print until the publication of X-Communication by Angelus Press in 1995.